The key to selling your home yourself is simply making a committment to yourself to do it. Once you've made that decision, then it's identifying all the tasks and doing them.

1. Price Makes the Difference
   
   It's important to price your house right the first time. Houses that are priced too high just sit on the open market. Next to location, price is the most important factor in the sale of your home. Also, don't make the mistake of thinking just because your are selling FSBO (For Sale By Owner) that you can mark up the price more. In fact, for a quicker sale, you need to price it a little lower.
   
   There are several good ways to determine what your house is worth. Obtain comparable market evaluations of homes that have recently sold in your proximity. This information is available through several different services on the Internet.
   
   
2. Prepare A Disclosure Statement
   
   No matter where you live, whether state laws require it or not, it is best to create a complete and accurate disclosure statement. Find out if your state requires the use of a specific type of disclosure form. A disclosure statement discloses any defects in the property. You may want to hire a licensed home inspector to conduct a physical inspection of your property. Require the inspector to provide you with a detailed written report which would include items that are in good condition, items that need repair or replacement and items that may need repair or replacement in the next few years.
   
   
3. Prepare Your Property
   
   First impressions are lasting impressions. You've heard it hundreds of times, but when it comes to selling your home, it can't be more true. Therefore, curb appeal is the first area to concentrate on. Here are some recommendations: mow the lawn, fertilize and make it look great, plant new shrubs and flowers, trim the older plants, clean the driveway, paint the front of the house and stain the entry door.
   
   The second areas to spruce up would be your living areas; entry hall, living room, kitchen, game room. A fresh coat of paint in a neutral color will brighten up these rooms. Also, unclutter your house. Move out half your furniture. Your rooms will look much bigger.
   
   Have your carpet professionally cleaned and floors waxed. Repaint cabinets if necessary. Also, clean out the garage and get rid of all the clutter and trash.
   
   
4. Develop An Advertising Strategy
   
   Your advertising strategy should be built upon this principle: Give your home the widest possible exposure that you can.
   
   Put Out A Sign. The yard sign will be your most effective advertising tool. They are relatively inexpensive. They let your neighbors know you are selling and they reach people familiar with your neighborhood. An effective yard sign is professionally made, usually 18 by 24 inches, visible against the landscape, simple and easy to read and capable of being read from a car moving in either direction.
   
   Information Box. An information box attached to your yard sign is the second most important means of advertising your home for sale. An information flyer concisely detailing the features of your home, along with a picture will answer questions potential buyers have and motivate them to see the inside of your home.
   
   Newspaper Ads. Newspaper ads will reach the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time (outside of the Internet). Pick one or two newspapers that have the most real estate ads and the ones that real estate agents tend to use. Start with classified ads. They are the least expensive and can be very effective. This form of advertising is most effective when you use several small ads stressing different advantages of your home. Never run the same ad for more than a week. Change it up for effectiveness.
   
   Online Listings. Advertising your home online is becoming one of the most effective and powerful ways to get the word out about your home. It is very cost effective for the amount of content you can display about your home. It's a good strategy to choose a couple of different listing services to obtain the broadest exposure possible. When choosing an online listing service it's important to check out several areas. First, they must be easily found in the search engines. If they aren't, then your listing will never be found by potential buyers. Second, they should have a good number of listings from your location, unless they are a new service. Third, it's better to subscribe to a service that charges a one time fee for your listing until the property is sold. Fourth, choose a service that is easy to use and provides a simple way to update your listing.
   
   
5. Show Your Home Successfully. By practicing a number of simple concepts, you can successfully show your home and close the deal. Just remember, if you have prepared your home correctly, then the house will sell itself. The following techniques will help in the process though.
   
   Protect Your Valuables. Take steps to protect your property and yourself. Hide your valuables. Have all viewers sign a guestbook and show a picture id, preferably a driver's license. Accompany anyone who is viewing your home. It's always a good idea to always have another person with you when showing the house.
   
   Prepare a Checklist. Create a "Showing Checklist". This list contains all the things you need to do before each showing, like; vacuuming, cleaning, dusting, turning on all lights, check for odors, etc.
   
   Oversee the Tour. Plan the tour of your home to emphasize its best features. Accompany the viewers at all times but do don't hover nor talk too much. Give the viewers space as they move throughout your house. Allow the viewers adequate time to view your home.
   
   Be Prepared to Answers Questions. Be able to talk intelligently about the climate and terrrain of the area, the demographic characteristics of your neighborhood, the quality of schools nearby and their locations, utilities and monthly expenditures, traffic in the area, tax base, type of insulation, and many other types of questions.
   
   Complete the Sale. If your viewer seems serious about purchasing your home, ask them if they are interested in submitting an offer on your home. If they are, then schedule a time for them to present the offer. Request that they present the offer to you in writing accompanied by a personal or cashier's check made out to an acceptable closing or escrow agent. If the potential buyers don't have a purchase agreement then give them one of yours and review it with them. Give them copies of the disclosure statement and any inspection reports.
   
   
6. Finalize the Contract. Sit down with the potential buyers and walk through their offer. Discuss each item and agree on that item before going to the next item. When each item has been agreed upon, sign the contract.
   
   
7. Due Diligence. Be diligent to accompish all the tasks described in the contract that are your responsibility as soon as possible.